Central Tasks of Learning to Teach provided the theoretical framework for the first study involving one in-service elementary physical educator teaching integrated classes while reflecting on three major stages of the teacher's career, (1) the preservice, (2) the induction, and (3) the continuing professional development periods. Data revealed the…

Unintentional Falls is the second leading cause of nonfatal injuries in the United States (U.S.). Sedentary behaviors are at an all-time high in schools leading to children not engaging in enough physical activity throughout their school day. Physical education and recess opportunities have decreased in school for the past ten years, leading to…

Children and adolescents spend the majority of their day engaged in sedentary behaviors (SB), while also not meeting physical activity (PA) recommendations. The failure to develop and maintain health enhancing behaviors from a young age may impact an individual throughout their life. With children and adolescents spending a large proportion of…

It is estimated that less than 20% of young people worldwide are receiving the recommended 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day (Riley, Lubans, Holmes, & Morgan, 2014). Delaware and many other states around the country use FITNESSGRAM to assess students' overall physical fitness. The FITNESSGRAM® is a physical…

With a growing interest in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in education (Goldberg et al., 2019; Gordon et al., 2016; Todd et al., 2022), schools have been positioned as effective settings for SEL development of students (Nielsen et al., 2015). As the potential of Physical Education (PE) to promote student learning in social and affective…

Physical activity (PA) has been shown to increase cognitive function, with higher test scores being reported for students engaged in higher levels PA. Additionally, the integration of the Common Core content into physical education allows for more Common Core content practice while students meet physical education objectives. Integration can be…

The major purpose of this study was to investigate whether successful practice trials in throwing would mediate the relationship between perceived throwing competence and skill improvement in throwing among 1 st graders in physical education. A correlational research design was utilized to examine the mediating relationships among variables.…

Positive findings regarding integrated curriculum in the classroom setting (Chen & Yang, 2019; Kurt & Pehlivan, 2013; Vars, 1996) and movement integration during the school day (Donnelly et al., 2009; Duncan, Birch, & Woodfield, 2012; Mahar et al., 2006; Reed et al., 2010), suggest a movement-based setting, such as physical education,…

Wearable technology has made a positive impact in the consumer industry with its focus on adult fitness. Devices and applications are pervasive, inexpensive and are in high demand. Our nation struggles with obesity and health concerns related to poor fitness. However, the research on such technology has been more focused on adults. Therefore, the…

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the relationship between students' physical education fitness norms and academic achievement measures in a suburban elementary school. Does high or low performance on physical fitness tests align with high or low academic achievement from standardized testing? The study sought to determine the…

This study examines the use of mastery motivational climate in an inclusive physical education setting. Mastery motivational climates (MMC) are grounded in achievement goal theory and the TARGET principles. Research has found mastery motivational climates to be effective for children with disabilities' skill acquisition. The purpose of this study…

This dissertation examines the efficacy of peer tutor training in adapted physical education (APE). A peer tutor evaluation form was created to assess the skills of untrained peer tutors (n = 12). Once skills were assessed, a peer tutor training protocol was created. The protocol was implemented in a peer tutor training program. After peer tutors…

Childhood obesity has become a national concern in the U.S. over the past decades. Offering quality physical education programs is one of the effective approaches of a variety of school-based physical interventions. To gain children's attention and their lack of interest in physical movement, physical education teachers have recently employed…

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a two-hour professional development workshop g focused on content knowledge (CK) utilizing an upper elementary knowledge packet on the task selection and instruction (PCK) of a teacher delivering a three-day tennis unit to 4th and 5 th grade students. A secondary purpose was to examine student…

The purpose of study 1 was to characterize energy expenditure (EE) during academic subjects and activities during an elementary school day. Children in 2nd-4th grades (N = 33) wore the SenseWear Armband (SWA) for five school days to measure EE. Teachers' logs were compared to SWA data to extract information about EE throughout the day. Energy…